OCR Text |
Show 30 CODE OF TERPSICHORE. EL TRIPILI TRAPOLA. This dance is nearly similar to the Zorongo, excepting that it finishes with three demi-tours or half-turns. The original character of these dances, their pleasing and varied figure, exciting, as they do, tender and agreeable feelings, have always obtained for them a marked preference. With respect to these peculiar qualities, there are few dances of other nations, worthy of being compared with them. The music that accompanies them, or rather that inspires them, is so harmonious, and of a melody so sweet and original, that it finds an instantaneous welcome into the heart, which it delights; and extremely insensible must that person be w ho does not feel those emotions which it is calculated to inspire. The greatMusician of the age corroborates m y assertion, by the introduction which he has composed to these charming airs, in several of his fine performances. The exquisite taste, in short, of Rossini is m y guide. Another circumstance, which renders this dancing still more seducing, is the picturesque costume of the dancers; than which nothing can be handsomer in design, or more beautiful in its ornaments and variety of colours. The striking features of the Spanish girls also, their expressive looks, their light figure, which seems formed for the dance, and adorned with their elegant apparel, their fancifully laced sandals, all conspire to raise delight in the spectator. W e can imagine, while these Bayaderes are dancing, that some picture of Titian or Veronese has become animated. Many of our readers will remark that we have omitted „ those dances called the Follies d'Espagne, the Follies of Spain. It is generally believed that this is a dance very much practised and admired in Spain; but w e must observe that the air was originally composed by Corelli, and so |